What will I notice that’s different & all questions consolidated?

[skynight]

Daily gratuity is automatically charged to your on board account and nets against any credit balance (OBC)  automatically. 

[beach_fever_4ever]

We always have a bottle of water with us. So the new rule is that we have to throw away our bottles of water before boarding ??

[wowzz]

9 hours ago, Thrak said:

Tipping a bartender: No

You've tipped the bartender 18% anyway! 

[Bwana Tom]

Slick way to take care of your gratuities. We always use our OBC in this way. It's automatic and easy and if you exceed the $14.50 per day for each passenger the difference is simply applied to your credit card balance. Easy Peasy.

[wowzz]

I'm sure the OP is aware that if you have Princess Plus, the autotips are included, so the obc can be used  for important things such as speciality meals or shopping !

[JF - retired RRT]

2 hours ago, wowzz said:

I'm sure the OP is aware that if you have Princess Plus, the autotips are included, so the obc can be used  for important things such as speciality meals or shopping !

Probably the whole point for the +. Spend all your $$ (OBC or otherwise) on the ship.

[skynight]

31 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Probably the whole point for the +. Spend all your $$ (OBC or otherwise) on the ship.

Don't think so. Most likely the main purpose of offering the plus fare is to stay competitive with similar lines that offer similar fares, and to include items in the fare that are popular with a large demographic of their passengers.

Don't see a connection between the plus fares and OBC. OBC always had to be used on the ship.

[Ombud]

6 hours ago, wowzz said:

if you have Princess Plus

JMHO not a given especially with how much goodwill obc was granted during 2nd & 3rd pause. 

[wowzz]

Surely the point of PP is to counter the Celebrity inclusive package ? 

[MissP22]

17 hours ago, skynight said:

Don't think so. Most likely the main purpose of offering the plus fare is to stay competitive with similar lines that offer similar fares, and to include items in the fare that are popular with a large demographic of their passengers.

Don't see a connection between the plus fares and OBC. OBC always had to be used on the ship.

While the plus fares have tips being included the OBC can be removed and used anywhere. 

Also OBC can be taken in cash & distributed only to individuals you want to reward extra rather than going into the pot for all other crew members to enjoy. 

[skynight]

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

While the plus fares have tips being included the OBC can be removed and used anywhere. 

Also OBC can be taken in cash & distributed only to individuals you want to reward extra rather than going into the pot for all other crew members to enjoy. 

You can still do this. Just book the no frills fare. You can not withdraw gifted OBC from your account as cash. You may be able to turn it into cash with casino play. No one is stopping anyone from providing extra cash tips no matter which fare you select.

Again. Plus fares are a marketing policy to stay competitive with similar lines that offer similar inclusive fares. They have nothing to do with OBC. The fare offers benefits that are popular with a large number of their current and prospective customers.

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

Also OBC can be taken in cash

I don't think that is possible.

[MissP22]

56 minutes ago, skynight said:

You can not withdraw gifted OBC from your account as cash

I'm not sure exactly what "gifted OBC" is but if it's like any other OBC then I take my cash & do with it as I like. 

Spend it on the ship, land or use it for garnitures (handed to the person I want to receive it, not have it go back in the pool).

[wowzz]

22 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

I'm not sure exactly what "gifted OBC" is but if it's like any other OBC then I take my cash & do with it as I like. 

Spend it on the ship, land or use it for garnitures (handed to the person I want to receive it, not have it go back in the pool).

OBC cannot be taken as cash, so you cannot use it to tip anybody. 

As has been said, the only way to cash it is to use it in the casino and then cash out.

[MissP22]

7 minutes ago, wowzz said:

OBC cannot be taken as cash, so you cannot use it to tip anybody. 

As has been said, the only way to cash it is to use it in the casino and then cash out.

OK

[envy4u]

Been awhile since we sailed. Room service still Free? If I recall there was a fee for pizza or am I wrong ?

[LACruiser88]

Below from current Emerald Live thread, room service is free except for the below:

 

Great information and love the canal pictures. Hoping to be on the partial canal cruise in March. 
Curious about $3.00, for pizza. I thought room service was free, (except tip).  Thanks!

Pizza has had a $3 charge for many years.  The other items they charge for are Cheese Plate ($4), Humus & Vegetable Plate ($4), Steak Frites ($19) and now today on Emerald they have added Sabatini and Crown Grill items available for purchase with prices ranging from $7 to $19 per item. 

Edited Wednesday at 01:14 PM by Shelly97060

Edited February 5, 2022 by LACruiser88

[Buckeye10640]

53 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

Below from current Emerald Live thread, room service is free except for the below:

 

Great information and love the canal pictures. Hoping to be on the partial canal cruise in March. 
Curious about $3.00, for pizza. I thought room service was free, (except tip).  Thanks!

Pizza has had a $3 charge for many years.  The other items they charge for are Cheese Plate ($4), Humus & Vegetable Plate ($4), Steak Frites ($19) and now today on Emerald they have added Sabatini and Crown Grill items available for purchase with prices ranging from $7 to $19 per item. 

Edited Wednesday at 01:14 PM by Shelly97060

Funny that you can go out of your room and order the cheese or hummus plate in the app and they are free! We ordered both while on on the sun deck above the pool. We only tried breakfast items in the room. 

Edited February 5, 2022 by Buckeye10640

[envy4u]

Been awhile since we sailed. What will be different ? Cuts that you have noticed ?

 

Room service still Free? If I recall there was a fee for pizza to be delivered or am I wrong ?

Edited February 5, 2022 by envy4u
Spelling error

[LACruiser88]

 

[envy4u]

7 hours ago, MissP22 said:

OK

 

7 hours ago, wowzz said:

OBC cannot be taken as cash, so you cannot use it to tip anybody. 

As has been said, the only way to cash it is to use it in the casino and then cash out.

I’m assuming that comes with a fee?

[Ombud]

8 hours ago, wowzz said:

OBC cannot be taken as cash, so you cannot use it to tip anybody. 

Actually military, 50% refunded Wifi, 10% refunded shore excursion fees, & some gifted OBC are all refundable so can be taken in cash. I did it at PSD / got envelopes to give to favorite barrista, HW, steward, & Alfredos server who told such good care of me

 

But if the question is: Can OBC be used for daily gratuities? The answer is still yes. 

 

Edited February 5, 2022 by Ombud

[skynight]

1 hour ago, envy4u said:

 

I’m assuming that comes with a fee?

No fee

Charge $100 to your on board account for play, receive $100 credit on the slots, or $100 in chips at the tables. 

Cash out has no fees. $100 of slot credit or in chips gets you $100 cash

 

[skynight]

9 hours ago, MissP22 said:

I'm not sure exactly what "gifted OBC" is but if it's like any other OBC then I take my cash & do with it as I like. 

Spend it on the ship, land or use it for garnitures (handed to the person I want to receive it, not have it go back in the pool).

I have never heard of trading any OBC for cash. Gifted OBC would be non refundable OBC that is provided as part of the booking promo. Are you sure you were able to trade it for cash? Does not sound correct, since a trade for cash would in effect make it refundable. In any case OBC has nothing to do with plus fares and the reason Princess offers them.

[Ombud]

9 hours ago, MissP22 said:

I'm not sure exactly what "gifted OBC" is but if it's like any other OBC then I take my cash & do with it as I like. 

Spend it on the ship, land or use it for garnitures (handed to the person I want to receive it, not have it go back in the pool).

It's OBC that I buy pre-cruise or someone buys on my behalf. PVP used to 'gift' me a little each cruise. It shows as refundable.  I know some TAs do it too